Charities/Community Involvement

At Colorworks, we feel that it’s not only important to be strive to be a great company. One of the pillars of our culture is to also be a productive part of the communities we server. In our never ending quest to help find a cure for cancer, Colorworks continues to support the great research work of Professor Michael Ohh and his team at the University of Toronto Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology are doing. On June 14, 2017, we were honoured to be able to give a $10,475 donation on behalf of the Colorworks Express Autobody Centers staff, management and mobile operators across Canada.

Professor Ohh is known for his pioneering and paradigm-shifting work in the field of hypoxia signalling and cancer cell biology, and has published 75 peer-reviewed articles in journals with broad readership such as Nature Medicine, Cancer Cell, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences with an H-index of 40, i10-index of 62 and over 10,000 total citations. Professor Ohh is a recipient of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Bernard and Francine Dorval Prize, Premier’s Research Excellence Award, and Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology.

Hi there and thanks for tuning into PMS (Pass Me the Star [Screwdriver])! On the eve of the Civic Holiday long weekend, otherwise known as the first Monday in August, I wondered – what’s the deal with this holiday? What are we celebrating? Is there cause to celebrate? Maybe not if you don’t get the day off – it’s a Civic holiday remember, not a Stat. If you do get a sweet long weekend – that’s a cause in itself for me!

I looked into it. It turns out that the Civic Holiday is known by a variety of other names in each respective province and territory that recognize it. In British Columbia, it’s British Columbia Day. This celebrates the first pioneers of the province all the way back to James Cook in 1778. Alberta decided on a unique name and reason to celebrate – Heritage Day – to honour the diverse cultural heritage of Albertans. In Ontario, the holiday was originally created to honour John Graves Simcoe. Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and the founder of the Fort York, which is now the city of Toronto.

So, as you (hopefully) kick back and relax this long weekend, raise a toast to the first pioneers of BC, the cultural diversity of Alberta, or the first Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. At the very least, you will have interesting trivia to share. Colorworks Express Autobody Centers wishes everyone a safe and happy long weekend!

Hi there and thanks for tuning into PMS! (Pass Me the Star [Screwdriver]). This past long weekend (in Ontario) was amazing! The weather was perfect. Hopefully, everyone is safe and experiencing positive aftermath.

I.e. you have a minor sunburn or your abdominals ache from laughing too much with family and friends. Maybe your body is tired because you went camping or you’re on the bloated side from overindulging on BBQ.

We know, however, that there are some folks who experienced some not so positive things over the long weekend. By Monday afternoon, Ontario OPP officers had laid 160 impaired-driving charges. In one weekend.

While Colorworks Express Autobody Centers are ready to fix up your vehicle no matter what happened, an extra layer of bad feels is added when the repair could have been avoided. Long weekends, weekends in general, are supposed to be a good time. Sure – let loose and relax. But be safe on the roads, for your own sake and the safety of everyone else.

As the summer continues, head to those BBQs and the beach. If you decide to consume alcohol do so responsibly. If you consume too much – no worries, we’re only human – make arrangements for a safe ride home. It’s simple. You’re worth too much to risk it.

Thanks for tuning in this week and I’ll catch you next time!

Jess

P.S. –> You can read more on the CBC news feature here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/high-number-of-impaired-drivers-frustrates-police-on-victoria-day-weekend-1.3596365

Everyone reading this blog will know about the horrifying destruction happening in Fort McMurray. As of Tuesday morning, the wildfire had spread to cover 229,000 hectares. This is an area bigger than the size of Edmonton.

Many individuals and families who fled posted pictures and videos of the fire practically licking their vehicles as they drove out of Fort McMurray. Most of these people will lose everything. Homes. Vehicles. Possessions. Memories.

Amidst the tragedy and loss, Canadians are responding. From renters on AirBnB offering their places free of charge, to a wedding happening in Toronto despite losing the dress in the fire, to relief from the Red Cross because of multiple donations across the country. There is no question: We are the True North strong and free.

Colorworks is proud to have donated to help employees and families in the area. If you are able to donate to the Canadian Red Cross the link to send funds is below. The Trudeau Government has also pledged to match all contributions. Any amount to bring more relief to those affected by this disaster is immensely appreciated. Please know – the Canadian Red Cross is the best option for any donations. They will see that funds are allocated ethically and to the places and people who are in greatest need.

Wow! Check out this exciting announcement from The Bluewater Football Academy:

Local businesses are an important part of the community, especially in towns like Saugeen Shores and Owen Sound. The Bluewater Football Academy is thrilled to announce and welcome the sponsorship of a great local business: Colorworks Express Autobody Centers. Colorworks provides the best customer service and the best product in the area. They are your main shop for any and all autobody repair – from a small scratch, to a dent, to a fender bender – they’ve got you covered and can handle your repair. If you need to put your repair through insurance they are there to support you the whole way through.

The Bluewater Football Academy would like to thank the Colorworks Team for supporting this camp and young athletes in the community!

For more information check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/BluewaterFootballAcademy/?fref=ts

This is another great example of how Colorworks is an active part of their community. If you live in or around the Saugeen Shores, ON area and have a high school aged student who plays football consider checking out their camp!

It’s Movember. It’s the time of excellent moustaches and sheer embarrassment for some. A time where girlfriends, partners, and wives (all who may not grow a ‘mo) accept their partner’s facial hair because it raises awareness and potentially dollars. A time of valiant efforts all around in the pursuit of the greatest ‘stach – or a glimmer of one.

Jokes aside, this is an important month to be thoughtful about men’s health. Prostate and testicular cancer are real. They are horrible. Not more or less than any other cancer – just equally awful. They happen to people close to us – our friends, family and neighbours. Many cases are treatable – thanks to monies and awareness raised by people like you during campaigns like this.

As the autobody business is very male dominated I wanted to do a shout out for the ‘Mo. I’m not asking you to grow one or love the ones you see. I’m not asking you to donate anywhere in particular. All I’m asking is that you pause to think about the science, research and good behind those glorious and potentially snaggly ‘mo’s this month and remember what they are about. If you want to get involved – amazing. Those who don’t wish to (or can’t) grow a ‘mo can pledge something else – being more healthy eating conscious, a fitness goal, or raising/donating money – anyone can be involved. It’s not just for “the dudes”.

I’m pausing my three part formula for choosing an autobody shop this week. If you were really gripping your seat in anticipation of part 2, it’s coming – I promise. Why am I changing things up? I’ll tell you. The Colorworks team in Canada are loving the community spirit that has gathered around the Toronto Blue Jays. Plus, I write the blogs and select the topics 🙂

The Toronto Blue Jays have done what any Toronto sports team fan has been thirsting for for years – made it to the playoffs. And more – are excelling even in the toughest of circumstances. The Jays are certainly in for a hard next game after tonight’s score. But one is this is for certain – they will put their heart and soul into that game as witnessed this entire season. The Jays are certainly attracting a lot of media attention before, during and after the games. From bat tossing memes that spur a flurry of voter call to action in the federal election to hanging out with kids before a game – the Blue Jays are rocking this spirit.

Colorworks advertises on the FAN 590 AM radio station. When our ad comes on around the games the Mississauga shop crew could not be more proud. Everyone is a huge fan of the Jays and have the games on at the shop during the day and at home in the evenings. No mater the outcome, the Colorworks Team could not be more proud of the Canadian MLB Toronto Blue Jays. They are reaching for greatness and inspiring those who tune into their journey.

All the best to you, gents! We are rooting for you. #cometogether

Thanks for tuning in, folks. I encourage you to #cometogether around something in your lives this week. If not the Toronto Blue Jays then maybe a local business or community organization. Catch you next week.

On June 13th and 14th 2014, Liz Maw, wife of Colorworks Barrie owner Darcy Maw, is involved in the annual “12 Ladies in a tent” event, which aims to raise funds and food for the local Food Bank.

This year’s event, will have a truly Colorworks flavour, as Colorworks Canada’s director of Customer Quality, Nick Thorne, will be appearing with Audio Taxi, the band he plays in, to provide entertainment on the Saturday.

The idea for this trip evolved out of the feeling of helplessness which Ben experienced this past summer when he lost his best friend to cancer.

Adam was only 25 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer which attacked his throat and lungs. For 8 years Ben watched his friend and his family battle the disease. He felt incredibly isolated from Adam, not only because Adam was here in Canada, and Ben was over in England, but because he felt like there was nothing he could do to help him. No matter how many times he came back to visit him or spoke to him on the phone and through email, he couldn’t do anything to make him better.

Adam passed away this past July, which only deepened the feeling that Ben hadn’t and couldn’t do enough. This March he is cycling from London to Paris to raise money for the World Cancer Research Fund.

On May 2nd, two students, Taylor Scholz and Colorworks founder, Don Konantz’s son, Willy Konantz started their grueling 4,500 km bike trek from London, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. All the money raised is going directly to the Vancouver Prostate Centre.

Here are video highlights of their incredible journey. Please watch the video then donate to this great cause.